How to Produce a Great Video – Tip #6

Shooting can be the most exciting, interesting and just plain fun part of the process — or it can be a nightmare. If it is well pre-produced and everyone is on board as to why you’re doing the production and what is expected, they will usually bend over backwards to help. That requires meticulous pre-production, whether it is on location inside or outside, in studio, shooting interviews or B-roll. Good organization and common sense are essential to a successful production. This, by the way, includes phone calls – real conversions with your colleagues on site. Keep in mind that when you shoot in a plant or a lab or a store or an office, you are potentially disrupting their workflow and people need to be prepared for that. Discuss that with them in advance. As a client, your most important job is to make sure your colleagues, the producer and the crew are all on the same page in terms of what is expected from everyone, including safety.

Be realistic, courteous and flexible during the shoot. Be prepare to make a hard decision on the spot. No matter how well the shoot is planned, surprises do happen. Most frequently it results in getting behind the schedule. And production delay can be costly. Don’t freak out. The last thing you want is adding stress over already high-pressure situation. Understand and evaluate the priorities and discuss that with the producer. Do you want to come home with hours of unusable garbage footage because you didn’t have the time to do it right or do you want to come home with good footage that will be used in corporate video library for years?

In our experience, the best compliments are your colleagues and customers saying “that was fun!” “You can come back any time!” You know those compliments will find the way to your bosses.

A side note: be sure to send a thank-you note/email to all participants and copy that to their bosses.

We’ll discuss editing next. If you have a specific question about your own corporate video production, just send us an email. We’ll be happy to talk to you. As always, please share your thoughts with us.